Helical barbed tape unit



6, 1969 P. T. MECKEL 3,463,455

HELICAL BARBBD TAPE U NIT Filed July 1. 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. PAUL T. M E CKEL United States Patent Paul T.

I 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Barbed tape is formed helically with coils of constant size and curved in the generally fiat plane of the tape, so that the tape will pack in a tangle free, compact axial stack with the coils in face to face contact. The tape is self-supporting and the coils are helical rather than spiral. Spacer wires interconnecting the coils facilitate anchoring the extended barbed tape to the ground and a connecting wire along the upper portion of the coils prevents ready breaching of the obstruction by the usual flattening techniques. A simple dispenser will hold a considerable quantity of tape for immediate deployment and multiple concentric coils can be dispensed simultaneously in interconnected arrangement to compound the obstruction.

Background of the invention The present invention relates to barriers and fences and specifically to a helical barbed tape unit.

The most common personnel barrier, particularly for military use, is barbed wire, which is usually in the form of extended coils. Multiple coils are used to increase the height and width of a barrier, but most barbed wire barriers can be traversed by using planks, logs, or other such objects to flatten and bridge the coils. Conventional barbed wire is also diflicult to deploy rapidly due to entanglement of the barbs with adjacent coils. Prior use of generally flat barb structure has involved attachment thereof to a supporting Wire, and all known prior forms were stored in spiral rolls.

Summary of the invention The barrier unit described herein has a helical coil of metal tape with a width several times its thickness and having spaced barbs along both edges. All coils are of equal diameter and are curved in the general plane of the tape, so that the collapsed coils seat face to face in a compact axial stack. The barbs are similarly spaced on each coil and nest in a tangle free arrangement, for rapid and uniform deployment. A spacer wire linearly connecting the coils provides convenient means for anchoring the extended tape to the ground or suitable supports, and a connecting wire interconnects the coils opposite the spacer wire. When a bridging object, such as a plank is thrown across the extended barrier, the connecting wire is depressed and pulls in the adjacent coils of tape to close the gap, thus making the usual breaching techniques ineffective. The coils do not require any supporting wires and the spacer wires are clipped over the individual coils. The barbs are inclined to the plane of the tape.

In collapsed form the coiled tape fits into a simple dispenser which holds the stacked coils in place for easy extraction. To compound the effectiveness of the barrier, multiple concentric coils may be stored in a common dispenser and extracted simultaneously in interconnected arrangement. For maximum obstruction the helical pitches of the concentric coils are in opposite directions.

Brief description of the drawings FIGURE 1 is a view of a portion of barbed tape;

3,463,455 Patented Aug. 26, 1969 ice FIGURE 2 is an edge view of the tape as taken from below FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 3--3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a similar sectional view showing an alternative tape cross section;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view showing the stacking of tape coils, a portion of a dispenser being shown in section;

FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic view showing alternative coil shapes;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view of a single coil showing the attachment of a connecting wire;

FIGURE 8 is a side elevation view of a portion of extended tape, the barbs being omitted for simplicity; and

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view showing the extraction of concentric tapes from a dispenser.

Similar characters of reference indicate similar elements and portions throughout the specification and throughout the views of the drawings.

Description of the preferred embodiment The barbed tape is made from readily available metal strip, preferably steel, of flat configuration with a width considerably greater than its thickness and is stamped or otherwise cut to form the barbs integral with the basic tape. As shown in FIGURE 1, the tape 10 has longitudinally spaced opposed pairs of sharply pointed barbs 12 along the two edges, each pair being spaced from the edge of the tape by a short root portion 14. The barbs 12 extend generally longitudinal to the tape, and the individual barbs in each pair of barbs extend in opposite directions from the root portion 14. As illustrated, the root portions 14 are transversely opposite each other in each group of pairs of barbs. In each group, the barbs in the opposite pairs on opposite edges of the tape are inclined in opposite directions from the plane of the tape as in FIGURE 2, for maximum effectiveness. During manufacture the tape 10 is curved in the plane of the tape to form coils of constant size, with the barbs correspondingly positioned on each coil. In finished form the barbed tape resembles a coil spring with the plane of the flat tape in each coil perpendicular to the axis of the complete unit. By spacing the barbs uniformly in the coils the tape can be collapsed into a compact axial stack, with the coils face to face and the barbs nested in stacks, as in FIGURE 5. It will be evident that a large number of coils can be stacked into a short axial length, equal to the thickness of the tape multiplied by the number of coils, plus the oflset of the barbs at each end of the stack.

Each barb, as illustrated, has a length dimension several times the width dimension of the root portion 14. This proportioning enabling, as a practical manufacturing operation, the formation of the illustrated relatively long, straight barbs inclined to the plane of the adjacent portion of the tape. To increase the effectiveness of the barbs, the barbs on the outside curved edge of the tape 10 are offset in opposite directions to the opposed pair on the inner edge of the tape. Thus each group of four barbs 12 has an X configuration when viewed from the edge, as in FIGURE 2, so providing barbs in both directions on both sides of the tape at any position.

While the tape is described as flat, in actual use it is preferred to reinforce the tape by means of a small longitudinal bead or channel 16 pressed in the tape, as shown in FIGURE 3. This gives the tape resistance against deformation and gives the tape a tendency to spring back to its normal shape after being flattened or otherwise distorted. Alternatively, the tape can be given a shallow V cross section to provide a reinforcing channel 18, as in FIGURE 4. The tape is, however, completely self-supporting and requires no supporting wire as such.

Generally the tape will have a constant arcuate curvature to form circular coils, a large barrier being built up by using several coiled tapes, as with conventional barbed wire. However, the flat tape lends itself to the use of a preformed coil of flattened oval configuration, as as 20 in FIGURE 6, the coil 22 being indicated in broken line for comparison. With the oval coil a wide barrier can be built up with a minimum of barbed tape. The tape coils can also be polygonal, as at 23 in FIGURE 6, depending on particular requirements.

To control the extension of the coiled tape, when deployed, and ,to maintain uniform coil spacing, a spacer wire 24 is connected between corresponding points on successive coils to limit their separation. The spacer wire 24 may be secured to the coils by looping around as shown, or by spot welding, clips, or any other suitable means. In use the tape would be deployed or extended with the spacer wire at the bottom, along the ground as in FIGURE 8, and would provide convenient means for anchoring the tape by stakes 25, or similar fasteners. A single spacer wire is shown, but it will be obvious that multiple wires could be used, particularly with the oval coil 20. To simplify assembly the wire 24 is passed around the tape at each coil in a loop 26 and secured by a clip 27 to close the loop. The clip may be of the type which is squeezed tightly in place by a plier-like tool, or by automatic machinery.

Effectiveness of the barrier is greatly increased by use of a connecting wire 28 attached to each coil and interconnecting the coils at the top, or opposite the spacer wire 24, with some slack between the coils. If a plank or similar object is thrown across the barrier, the connecting wire 28 will be depressed, causing the adjacent tape coils to be pulled together over the top of the plank and obstruct the passage. The slack in the connecting wire allows local displacement without distorting the entire coiled length. Additional connecting wires may be used if necessary and attached in the manner shown in FIGURE 7.

The dispenser 30, shown fragmentarily in FIG. 5, is a simple ring element having an endless and generally annular channel 32 which is a reasonably close fit for the stacked tape coils, the shape being determined to correspond with the polygonal or oval tape mentioned hereinabove when necessary, and the' tape being held very compactly and neatly for ease of extraction. A readily removable cover 34 closes the channel 32 during storage and handling. Various materials may be used for the dispenser 30, but since it will normally be expendable, it can be made from foam plastic, as indicated, or laminated paper, or any other such low cost material. With foam plastic it may be desirable to make the dispenser with a solid body of other than circular shape to withstand handling, and since weight will not be a particular problem.

To provide a dense barrier the arrangement shown in FIGURE 9 is particularly adaptable to the barbed tape. Two coils of tape are used, the outer coil 36 being larger than the inner coil 38 and the helical pitch of the coils being in opposite direction. The barbs are omitted for clarity, but both coils are of the configuration shown in FIGURE 1. A spacer wire 40 connects the lower portions of coil 36, or may be extended, as indicated in broken line 42, to the inner coil also, so that proper spacing of both coils is provided. The upper portions of the coils 36 and 38, are interconnected by a connecting wire 44, or several wires if required.

The dispenser 46 for the dual coils is a ring member with an endless outer channel 48 and an endless inner channel 50, co-axial and ordinarily generally annular to hold the coils 36 and 38, respectively, in co-axial relation. As mentioned in connection with channel 32, the channels 48 and 50 correspond with the shape of the tapes to be housed therein. Grip portions 52 may be added to the dispenser for ease of handling. A slot 54 connects the channels 48 and 50 to accommodate the folded connecting wire 44 between the coils and a further slot 56 at the opposite side contains the folded spacer wire 40. When extracted from the dispenser the coils will feed out smoothly into interconnected erected position, the opposed helical pitches providing a closely woven barrier. In use the inner coil 38 would probably rest on the ground, if there is sufficient slack in connecting wire 44.

While dimensions may vary, an example will serve to illustrate the typical characteristics of the barbed tape unit. Using steel tape of 0.025 inch thickness and about 1.25 inches wide, with an outer coil diameter of 30 inches, an inner coil diameter of 24 inches and a coil pitch spacing of 30 inches when extended, a unit as shown in FIG- URE 9 may be made up in a convenient size to provide an'erected barrier feet in length. When collapsed the stacked coils will be less than 2 inches in thickness, allowing for the various wires and the barbs and, with a foam plastic dispenser the complete unit will weigh about 40 pounds, which is easily handled by one man.

It is a very important feature of the instant invention that the barbs as well as the generally flat body portion of the tape nest perfectly when the coils are collapsed. Since the coils are free standing and require no supporting since as such, the tape coils lie fiat in close face to face contact with the barbs properly clocking to enable perfect nesting even though the barsb are inclined. Tangling is avoided. Compactness of the contracted tape is maximum. This feature is clearly indicated in FIGURE 5 of the drawing.

Due to the non-tangling aspect the barbed tape can be deployed by various methods. With one end anchored the dispenser can be on a moving vehicle. Successive units can be connected by any suitable means to feed out in turn for long barricades. One further method of deployment, not possible with conventional barbed wire, is to air drop the tape unit, with suitable drag means to extract the barbed tape during the drop.

It is understood that minor variation from the form of the invention disclosed herein may 'be made without dep'arture from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that the specification and drawings are to be considered as merely illustrative rather than limiting.

I claim:

1. A barbed tape unit, comprising:

a length of substantially flat metal tape having longitudinally spaced barbs on at least one edge thereof; said tape being preformed in generally helical coils of constant size with the fiat plane of the tape substantially perpendicular to the axis of the helix, said tape, by virtue of being so preformed and as an article of merchandise, being collapsed into a compact axial stack with the coils in face to face relation.

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein said barbs are similarly positioned on each of said coils and clock accurately for face to face maximum compactness and nesting in axially stacked arrangement when the tape is collapsed.

3. The structure of claim 1, wherein said barbs are in opposed pairs on both edges of said tape, the barbs of each pair extending substantially longitudinal to the tape and being inclined to the plane of the tape.

4. The structure of claim 3, wherein the opposed pairs of barbs on opposite edges of the tape are inclined in opposite directions from the plane of the adjacent portion of the tape and define an X configuration when the tape is viewed from an edge thereof.

5. The structure of claim 1, wherein the barbs and coils are unitary, being constructed from a single length of tape, and the coils are self-supporting.

6. The structure of claim 1, wherein each pair of said barbs has a root portion by which that pair of barbs is attached to and transversely spaced from the adjacent portion of the tape, the individual barbs in each pair extending in opposite directions and each barb having a length dimension several times the Width dimension of said root portion measured longitudinally of the tape.

7. The structure of claim 1 and including at least one wire interconnecting corresponding portions of successive coils, the wire being secured in a closed loop around each coil.

8. The structure of claim 1, and including a generally ring-like dispenser having a generally annular channel therein, in which the collapsed tape is stacked flat, said channel having a depth only slightly in excess of the thickness of said tape multiplied by the number of coils collapsed into said channel.

9. The structure of claim 1, and including a second helically coiled barbed tape Within the first mentioned tape, and wherein said dispenser has co-axial channels in which said tapes are closely contained in stacked arrangement;

wire.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l/l963 1l/l964 12/1965 Peterson et al. 2S61 X Ieidolf 256-3 X Klemm 256-2 X Kirsch et al 2562 X Sietfert 256-2 Musgrave 256-8 DENNIS L. TAYLOR, Primary Examiner 

